Indult is a perfume collection that was launched in 2006 with three fragrances, Isvaraya, Tihota, and Mankara, in limited editions. In 2008*, an additional scent created exclusively for Luckyscent, Rêve en Cuir, was released, garnering a 5-star review from then scent critic for the New York Times, Chandler Burr. These fragrances were spoken of in hushed, almost reverent tones by the lucky perfumistas who had gotten their hands on them. Our EIC Michelyn is a die hard fan of this line and has been since it originally launched. I was new to niche perfumes at the time, and never encountered them. Fortunately for perfume lovers like me, new company ownership has brought these fragrances by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian back, and at a more affordable price. Acccording to Franco Wright of Luckyscent, the formulas have not changed. In the words of M. Kurkdjian: "I am very happy to see this fragrance collection under new ownership, permitting these perfumes presented under their original formulations to delight its owners." Currently exclusive to Luckyscent and Scent Bar in the US, I was given the opportunity to smell the current reissues of all four scents.

Leather art by J.C. Velasquez

The first one I wore was Rêve en Cuir, which was created especially for Indult for Luckyscent in 2008. Looking at the notes list was puzzling; how can a “dream in leather” have no leather? Curious, I took the plunge. The perfume starts off with spicy citrus notes that are just wonderful and have a way of being cozy and fresh at the same time. Extraordinarily familiar, a great mix of masculine and feminine, it sits fairly close to the skin at the beginning with just a soft breeze of spice. I decided to do a little experiment, and I pulled out my leather jacket to smell alongside my perfumed wrist. Pretty perfect, like the leather note is supposed to be added by the wearer. Surprisingly, the waft gets bigger with wear, as body heat amplifies the spicy notes, before the sweetly soft drydown.

The notes list for Manakara is alarmingly simple: rose and lychee. The perfume goes on skin like a cloud of sweetly fruity syrup, and then the rose starts to peek her head around the corner to see if it is time for her appearance. A complex rose has been used in this fragrance, for it contains many attributes of rose all at once. Dewy, pungent, sweet, heady; a full-on blooming rose garden at its peak. Swirling all around it is that sticky lychee. One of my favorite fruits, for its wet, refreshing taste contained in that bumpy hard skin, the note has been put to good use here. The perfume dries down to a soft vanilla-tinged sweet rose. I would put this in a category of a loukhoum-style perfume, but the rose is more dominant and it’s not quite as sweet as some I have tried. It’s lovely, and I got several compliments.

Notes: rose, lychee

Circle of Life by Hildegard of Bingen

Isvaraya is a pungent, jammy patchouli that has a lovely whiff of rubbery jasmine. It’s the kind of perfume that makes me smile, broadly, because it’s slightly preposterous, but really fun to wear. It’s a good patchouli, too, not the pale, bleached, transparent patchouli that is so prevalent now. The earthy notes I love about patchouli are supporting the fruit and flowers superbly. I have to be honest here and warn that if you are touchy about patchouli, or jasmine, or plums for that matter, I recommend trying before you buy. I love the amped-up versions of these notes, the more earthy and indolic the better, but I also know that not everyone travels that road with me. I do recommend trying Isvaraya, though, because the end result is lovely. As it dries down, some woodier aspects appear to calm everything down, and it starts to sit closer to the skin. I really like this perfume.

Notes: patchouli, Indian plum tree, jasmine

Eau de Parfum I by Mirabilia

People looking for a straightforward, delightful vanilla would do well to experience Tihota. It goes on skin like a cloud of vanilla confection. This is not smoky or boozy in the least, but straight up vanilla, sweet and comforting. I felt like I was walking on a gentle marshmallow cloud, but amazingly, it’s an adult kind of sweetness, like the crackled top of a crème Brulee that enhances the creamy custard. Sometimes I talk about a perfume being a good companion, by which I mean that it is easy to spend time with; comfortable but still interesting. It doesn’t need to blare odd notes at me, or take me on a sense-memory journey, but can just whisper to me once in a while and keep me company. This is one of those. I was completely content in its waft, the quiet but present co-pilot on a short road trip I took with an equally companionable friend the day I wore it.

Notes: vanilla bean, musks

The Indult collection is the kind of thing I wish came in a coffret. All four have distinct personalities, even if they have a slightly sweet undercurrent in common, and all four are lovely. I would wear any of them, and if limited to just one, I would be hard-pressed to make that decision.

I received my samples from the kind people at Luckyscent, which is where you can purchase these lovelies.

Tama Blough,Senior Editor

Thanks to the wonderful generosity of Luckyscent, we have a draw for 20 sample sets of all four fragrances, Rêve en Cuir, Isvaraya, Tihota, and Manakara, to give away to 20 of our US and Canadian readers. To qualify, leave a comment letting us know which one appeals to you, plus you must like Luckyscent on Facebook or follow @luckyscent on Twitter. If you are already doing these things, please tell us in the comments so we count your entry. Don't forget to let us know you live in the US or Canada. Draw ends on November 8, 2013.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebonand use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

*Note: An additional Indult fragrance, C16, was created as a limited exclusive for the French store, Colette.

I just love Tihota. Simply one of the best vanilla’s out there in the perfume world. I’m extremely curious though about Reve en Cuir. I bet I will like it very much. The note sound perfect to my liking. I already follow Luckyscent and order like crazy from them. They inform me all the time of the up and coming. Love them. In the USA. Thank you for a chance.

This is an amazing draw. Thank you! Isvaraya appeals to me, partly because of the name. I follow Luckyscent on Facebook (Lean Sa) and on twitter (@LeanS12). I live in the US. (Please disregard previous post)

I have wanted to try these ever since I heard they are being relaunched. The one I am most intrigued by is Isvaraya, but they all sound unique in their own way. Please note that I have already liked Luckyscent and I follow them on Twitter…and they me :). I am a US resident. And I greatly appreciate this wonderful draw!

I have liked LuckyScent on Facebook and I already follow them on Twitter. What a wonderful giveaway! I am dying to try all of these but especially Manakara. I live in the US. Thanks so much, and Tama, thanks for a great review.

Liked the Facebook page and I am a U.S. resident. The scent that appeals to me the most is Rêve en Cuir, because while I love the scent of leather, I don’t often have the opportunity to indulge in wearing it here in Florida. To wrap myself in the scent alone seems a delicious indulgence!

Rêve en Cuir and Tihota both sound wonderful, but I think I could love Rêve en Cuir the most.
I already follow Luckyscent on Facebook and Twitter (@escritora_silva)
I live in US.
Thank you for a chance

Isvaraya is the one that interests me. Patchouli and rubbery jasmine sign me up! I already liked luckyscent on Facebook and twitter @dkchocoman. I am a US resident and thank you for such a wonderful draw!

Oh ~ this sounds like an amazing set… I would be thrilled to try any of these scents but Reve en Cuir sounds so interesting and beautiful… I already like Luckyscent on facebook and I spend quite a bit of time drooling over all of the scents that they offer!! I live in the U.S. Thank you so very much for the chance to win.

Manakara interests me the most since I love most rose scents, but the others sound intriguing as well. I already like Luckyscent on Facebook. I live in Canada. Thanks for the opportunity for more people to discover this line.

Tell me that Isvaraya is a pungent, jammy patchouli and I am sold. I especially would love to wear this on my vacation to Hawaii in the next 2 weeks- perfect for those tropical nights I believe. This would be my choice but I’m always open to experimentation. I have followed Lucky Scent on Facebook. I have a US address thank you.

Great review, Tama.
Tough decision as to which appeals but I must go with Isvaraya. It intrigues me very much. I meet the guidelines as I like Luckyscent on FB and also follow on twitter. Thanks for the opportunity. I’m in the US.

I have two bottles in my collection and would love to sample the others. I have Isvaraya and Tihota. But since I bought these years ago it will be interesting to do side by side comparisons with the new releases. And my bottle of C16 is still tucked away in its’ wooden box. I guess I need to get it out in the sunshine and wear it, thanks for the reminder I have it Tama! Thanks for the opportunity to win a sample set! How exciting =)

I was delighted to read that the line is available again. It seems like Tihota has a cult following but Reve en Cuir has my curiosity piqued. I follow Luckyscent on twitter and FB. I also live in the US and I am appreciative for the draw. I would love to try all four.

Isvaraya sounds like it would suit me down to the ground — of course, I was in a Patchouli mood today (been wearing Patch Patch). That said, I’ve long wanted to smell Reve en Cuir! I DO live in the U.S. and would consider myself very lucky, indeed, to win a sample set!

I live in the US and have liked luckyscent on facebook. I think Tihota and Isvaraya sound most appealing- I’ve heard so much about Tihota and I’m starting to be a bit of a plum fan in perfumery after Plum Japonais and KM’s Ume.

I live in the U.S. and like Luckyscent on FB. Reve en Cuir sounds really intriguing but I think Tihota might actually be my favorite. I have been really wanting to try these but was too late to get to the Luckyscent October sampler before it sold out (I could order samples separately but I get carried away and the Veros I want are not available right now). Thank you for offering this draw!

I live in the US and liked Luckyscent on FB. All of the Indult fragrances sound amazing, but I would most like to try Tihota. I always thought I hated vanilla fragrances, but the more I sample and learn, the more I am drawn to vanilla – especially this time of year. Thanks for offering the drawing!!

Tihota is my favorite vanilla in the whole wide world. I literally squealed with delight when I saw it was being reissued. I can’t wait to try the other indults. I have already liked lucky scent on Facebook and I am in the us. Thank you.

I’ve heard a lot about this line, but never had the opportunity to try! Isvaraya appeals to me the most. I also love the Circle of Life mandala from Hildegard of Bingen. Another favorite Tama article!!

Manakara sounds very appealing to me. But I am a patchouli lover so Isvaraya sounds wonderful to me also. thanks Tama for the great review and to Lucky Scent for the generous draw. I am in the US and I liked Lucky Scent on Facebook.

I already liked Luckyscent on FB (and get their newsletters). I’m looking at Manakara since I’ve never met a rose I didn’t like, though they all sound delicious. I’m in the US. Thanks very much for the article and the draw!

Nice review, Tama. They all sound so interesting, especially Isvaraya, but as you said they each have their appeal. A coffret does seem like it would be a perfect vehicle for the set. I have already liked Luckyscent on FB and I’m in the US.

I would love try reve in Cuir as I have read so much about this fragrance
I am a fan of Francis Kurkdjian so the indult collection in total appeals to me
Especially Tihota which sounds wonderful for winter as a fabulous vanilla always finds a space on my dresser
I live in the US and follow Luckyscent on Facebook for quite some time
Great reviews